Caster



(No Model.)

S. C. MENDENHALL.

UASTER.

No. 314,952. Patented Mar. 31, 1885.

UNITED STATES 4PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN C. MENDENHALL, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA.

CASTEFLl SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 314,952, dated March 31,1885.

Application filed September 3, 1884. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN C. MENDEN- HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing The difiiculty here was, that the stem being cast solid was subsequently bored out for the socket, necessarily involving large expense. To avoid this evil I cast the podin two equivalent parts, each bearing one half ofthe flange and rim at bottoni and fixed together when in use by a rivet orscrew at top.

I am aware that sockets for stcmcasters have before been cast in two parts, but believe that it has never before been proposed to cast a socket having a rim for retaining` the anti-friction rollers in two parts. The two-part pod or socket is held together at bottom by a band or ring surrounding the rim of the pod, and having a iiange at bottom projecting in around the spindle to hold the anti-friction rollers in place. When the two parts of the pod are placed together, the loose rollers droppedn into their annular chamber, and the outside ring pressed forcibly on, the

, top is complete and is ready to be driven into its socket in the furniture-leg.

It may sometimes be necessary to employ, in addition to the outer band, a smooth metal ring placed within the rim of the pod, to afford a perfectly even bearing for the rollers, notwithstanding any asperities or imperfect joints in the rim. A

In order that my invention may be more fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis a perspective embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar view taken in a plane at right angles to that of Fig. 2, and showing in addition the inner bearing-ring. Fig. 4 is an elevation of view of a caster a half-pod detached. Fig. 5 is a plan of the band. Fig. 6 is an under side view of the pod shown in Fig. 3, showing the anti-friction rollers in place.

The pod, socket, or stem of my improved caster is cast in halves, 1 2, with half-iianges 3, having downwardly-projecting rims 4. An annular flange, 7, may be formed on the band 6 by stamping; or it may bemade separate and attached thereto or to the pod in suitable manner. Its office is to form in connection with the flange 3 and rim 4E a closed chamber, within whichthe loose anti-friction rollers S are retained. rlhe rollers 8 are made of such a size and number that but a small space, 9, is left between the end rollers of the series when placed in the chamber, as shown in Fig. 6. Freedom of motion isthus allowed, while the rollers are prevented absolutely from falling out unless the pod be taken to pieces. This matter is, however, to be made the subject of a separate application for Let= ters Patent.

As there may be slight irregularities due to faulty castings and imperfection of joint between the two parts of the rim 4t, I employ a ring, 10, of smooth metal, which is dropped into the pod, it being of such diameter as to iit closely within the rim 4.

The two parts l 2 of the pod, being cast horizontally, may be provided with cast ribs 11, which enter the wood when the top is driven into place, and so retain it in the furniture; leg. The spindle 12 is cast with a groove, as shown at 13, the shoulder la thus formed at top of spindle serving, in connection with the pin 15, to retain the spindle in its place in non-separating casters. By thus forming the spindle a large gain in lthe amount of metal employed is eifected.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is l 1. In combination with a two-part stem caster socket-top, a band or rim pressed closely around thc bottom thereof for holding the two parts together, substantially asset forth.

2. In combination with a two-part stemcaster socket-top having bottoni flange and rim projecting downward therefrom, the band IOO or rim surrounding saidrim and pressed olos'el having an annular enlargement or chamber ly thereon, loose anti-friotion rollers, and a at bottom, loose horizontal :rolls occupying retaining flange or disk below said rollers, said chamber and a smooth ring or Way for forming Withthe socket-flange and rim a closed said rolls Within said chamber, substantially chamber, substantially as set forth. il as set forth.

3. In combination with a two-part steln- T y l l caster socket-top riveted together at top and STEPHEB C MENDENHALL' fastened by band or ring at bottoni, the loose t Vitnesses: anti-friction rollsor rollers, as set forth. HARRY E. KNIGHT,

4. In combination with a caster socket-top I L. M. HOPKINS. 

